Waterloo, Iowa - The Grainger Foundation has donated $10,000 to the Hawkeye Community College Foundation in support of its commitment to provide educational opportunities for our community.

“This grant will be used to support students in the Industrial and Engineering Technology programs by providing five Grainger Foundation Scholarships” said Karen Gebel, Interim Executive Director, Hawkeye Community College Foundation. “Scholarships are vital to the growth of Hawkeye Community College and our community. They enable Hawkeye to keep a college education within the financial reach of as many students as possible, recruit and retain well-qualified students and recognize outstanding performance and exceptional potential in students.”

Karen Gebel said Hawkeye offers more than 45 one-year and two-year programs for credit classes, business and community education classes, specialized training geared toward business and industry, and classes for high school students during their junior and senior years so they may attain college credits early.

This donation was recommended by Tim Cuvelier, Director, National Contact Centers at W.W. Grainger, Inc.’s Waterloo, IA location. Grainger has been a part of the greater Cedar Valley business community for more than 20 years as the leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair, and operating products. “We are proud to recommend this grant for scholarships to the programs offered by Hawkeye Community College”, said Cuvelier. “We understand that investing in local students is one of the best ways to invest in the future of our community."

The Grainger Foundation, an independent, private foundation based in Lake Forest, Illinois, was established in 1949 by William W. Grainger, founder of W.W. Grainger, Inc. For further information about Grainger contact, Kristen Lawrence, Community Affairs Manager at kristen.lawrence@grainger.com.

The Hawkeye Community College Foundation receives, manages, and invests contributions and bequests to Hawkeye Community College. The Foundation supports the education and development needs of Hawkeye Community College students, faculty, and staff by providing resources not available through public funds. For further information about the Hawkeye Community College Foundation, contact Karen Gebel, Interim Executive Director at karen.gebel@hawkeyecollege.edu.